Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker. For most of its existence, the company was known exclusively for its cushy, senior-friendly sedans, but in more recent years the automaker has revised and expanded its lineup in a successful effort to attract a new, younger generation. Cadillac's roster now includes SUVs (its Escalade is a favorite of both rappers and suburban moms), a crossover and even a high-performance wagon.

Born in 1902, Cadillac was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. He named the company after a noted French explorer who discovered Detroit in the early 1700s. Leland helped create one of the company's earliest offerings -- the Cadillac Osceola, noted for being the industry's first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. Only one Osceola was made, but it helped spark a trend; closed bodies caught on and spread like wildfire through the industry.

Cadillac quickly gained a reputation for specializing in precise craftsmanship and for using standardized parts. The success of early Cadillacs like the Model A and the "30" made the brand a sales success, so much so that the automaker was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The marque became GM's luxury division, and its list of innovations grew. Cadillac was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to produce a V8, the first to use thermostatic control of a cooling system and the first to offer dash-controlled headlights. During the 1930s, the brand earned a strong reputation for producing powerful and smooth V12 and V16 engines.

Soon after World War II, Cadillac history hit a high point as its tailfinned and chrome-laden cars became the epitome of American postwar automotive style. Cadillac's tailfin took its cue from Lockheed's P38 Lightning Aircraft, and was the brainchild of designer Frank Hershey. Vehicles like the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood El Dorado made Cadillac a staple in upscale neighborhoods and among the Hollywood set.

By the 1960s, Cadillac's flashy tailfins had given way to a new styling cue: vertical taillights. This attribute was in evidence on one of Cadillac's most successful new cars of that decade, the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Fleetwood offered luxury features that were cutting-edge for its day, such as fold-down writing tables, footrests and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

The gas crunch of the 1970s, however, started a downward trend for the company. Cadillac's Titanic-sized behemoths that ruled the highways in previous decades were increasingly out of touch and out of favor. Cadillac responded to the changing times by downscaling the dimensions of many vehicles in its lineup. Despite this smart maneuvering, the automaker's fortunes suffered in the late '70s when it unveiled a diesel engine that quickly earned a reputation for spotty performance.

The 1980s saw the redesign of the Seville, a vehicle whose unique bustle-back styling sparked a trend and inspired its share of imitators. That decade also witnessed the rollout of the Cimarron, a small car that was essentially a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, the latter an economy car not exactly known for excellence. Understandably, the Cimarron never caught on with the public. Things got worse when Cadillac launched a series of underpowered, unreliable V8s during the first half of that decade that, along with the notoriously unreliable diesel, cost the automaker thousands of customers, millions of dollars and immeasurable damage to its reputation.

By the early '90s, Cadillac started a major turnaround as it brought out redesigned, stylish models with vastly improved engines. Shortly after the new millennium bowed, the company adopted its "Art & Science" design philosophy. With styling cues that included sharp, almost severe lines and stacked headlamps, Art & Science was first seen on Cadillac's 1999 Evoq concept roadster. By the mid-2000s, this bold new look had reinvigorated the company's sales, and was seen on hits such as the Escalade SUV and the CTS sport sedan.

This fresh styling, coupled with improvements in performance and overall product quality, has done a great deal to help Cadillac recover much of its previous status. Today's Cadillacs, which include coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, are known for offering powerful engines, chiseled lines, sharp handling and a full accoutrement of luxury features.

User Reviews:

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  3.6 VVT base model CTS rocks! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By randlsa - November 16 - 2:00 am

  To buy this car, I had to sacrifice some options to keep the price down. Im overjoyed at how amazing this car is still. I bought an 04 CTS with only one option... the engine upgrade/auto trans. The car literally floors me with its bold styling and performance. I thought Id regret dropping the options, and although Id rather have a V or a loaded model, Im extremely satisfied. I do not feel that the editors rating on Edmunds gives this car justice at all.

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  American Luxury at its finest - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By HoustonTexan - November 15 - 5:43 pm

  I feel like I am in an oasis of comfort, style and agility. This car is all that it is cracked up to be and more. You get more than your moneys worth. My neighbor next door drove home a bmw 5 series coupe (sporty), my neighbor across the street drove home a mazda 6(affordable)all brand new this weekend and I drove home the SRX handsdown (priceless)

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  What a Nice Car This CTS Is - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Dewsweeper - November 14 - 10:00 am

  We have had our new CTS for two weeks. This CTS is the lux/sport package with sunroof, auto, heated seats (wont use this much in the "Big Easy"), HID, and white diamond paint. It really sticks to the road and is a hoot to drive, but the enthusiasts will want another 50 HP. The standard audio system is fine. Rear seat passengers have more leg room than you think, but headroom is slightly cramped for the six footer. The dealership was very price conscious and sold us the car for $300 over invoice found on the Edmunds site. On top of this, I was able to apply another $1000 off using my GM card earnings. Sweet.

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  Always wanted one - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Bill t - November 12 - 9:37 am

  Rides like a big car, it is a big car. Have a small car for work, but wanted a cadliac for other times. This year and model has everything you can think a car should have. People look at it when it goes by, a car should get noticed. Repairs are high and there are things I have to fix. But for a car 11 years old, looks good and rides like only a big car can. Purchased an American car even if GM is having problems. Parts and people who can work on it are still working.

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  Great Car !!!! - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Shaunna - November 12 - 6:44 am

  I bought this car a year and a half ago and the only problem Ive experienced is a dead cell in my battery which Cadillac replaced under warranty. It handles well in bad weather and is fun to drive. It does drink gas and oil and that could have been an issue standing for improvement. But, overall its a great car. I would purchase another. The best car Ive driven in my 13 yrs.

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  cant do much better!! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By manx2 - November 11 - 7:50 pm

  Absolutely love it! Lucky to get one off the lot great price enjoying every minute of driving!

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  Worst I have ever owned - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By avguy - November 10 - 9:49 pm

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. I had to replace the entire valve train at 70,000 miles at $4500 and now at 87,000 miles a connecting rod went and now needs a new engine for $6100 and yes I changed and checked the oil. Thats how I knew it went through a quart about ever 2000 miles. If you are looking to buy one of these dont. I will never purchase another GM car, no wonder they are in so much trouble.

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  Great car, Fun to Drive - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Dan - November 10 - 9:47 pm

  I have had my CTS for two years, and had read several reviews before my purchase. I saw that there were several complaints about the batteries dying on this vehicle. I also had this problem, not because of a faulty wiring system like many of the reviews said, but because of the bose sound system. When i bought the car i knew bose made a cheap product and expected this to happen, due to the lack of a remote wire on their amp. I replaced the amp and speakers (the bose speakers are made of cardboard) with a better product and it fixed the issue. This car has great handling and plenty of power.

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  USED CAR PURCHASE/JUST WHAT WE ESPECTED. - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Bob & Louise - November 10 - 1:22 am

  We are dissatisfied with the certification done on the vehicle prior to purchase. Within 4 mos. of purchase, we have had to replaced a right turn signal bulb, the air lift shocks on the trunk lift gate which failed on October 1, 2009. The vehicle was purchased May, 2009. The gas propelled lift game failed and the trunk collapse on my head, causing me to be knocked unconscious for 30 minutes,the back windshield-wiper- defrost equipment completely faioed ad exploded around me with 1000 of pieces of black glass showered all over me and the back trunk of the car. I was hospitalized with neck trauma,etc. causing 3 1/2 days in hospital & incurring a back window replacement by a Mobile compan

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  Better than the new cadillacs - 1991 Cadillac Seville
  By Jase - November 9 - 10:19 pm

  This car has run better then my mothers 2005 cadillac sts. This car runs great and has taken me on a lot of trips. Very reliable car.